If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Nine
by McCauley, KyrieIn Chapter Nine of *If These Wings Could Fly*, the protagonist, Leighton, encounters Liam McNamara at lunch, where he casually joins her and Sofia at their table. Liam’s easygoing and humorous demeanor contrasts with Leighton’s guarded attitude, as she pushes away her cold tater tots and tries to maintain her focus on schoolwork and college preparations. Despite Liam’s playful banter and his defense of Leighton against a classmate’s rude behavior, she remains hesitant to engage socially, revealing her deep commitment to her academic goals and the pressures of senior year.
The chapter highlights the subtle tension between Leighton’s desire for connection and her resolute priorities. Liam’s attentive and genuine interest in Leighton stands out, offering a refreshing change from her usual interactions. Even though she recognizes the charm and kindness he displays, Leighton is reluctant to entertain the idea of dating, concerned that it would distract her from her immediate responsibilities. The leather bracelet she wears serves as a poignant symbol of family and loss, grounding her in the reality of her situation and the urgency she feels to protect her sisters.
Leighton’s inner conflict is palpable as she acknowledges the fun and lightheartedness Liam brings into her life, yet she remains weighed down by the challenges she faces at home. The chapter conveys her sense of duty and the emotional walls she has built around herself to avoid additional pain. Her reflections on the fragility of love and the inevitability of heartbreak deepen the narrative, underscoring her fear of vulnerability and the sacrifices she believes she must make to ensure her family’s safety.
Ultimately, this chapter portrays a moment of tentative connection amid personal struggle. Liam’s persistence and Leighton’s guarded responses create a dynamic that is both tender and realistic. The story captures the complexities of teenage life—balancing hope, humor, and heartache—while setting the stage for Leighton’s ongoing journey toward self-discovery and healing. The chapter closes on a bittersweet note, with Leighton acknowledging the harsh truths of love and loss that shape her world.
FAQs
1. How does the interaction between Leighton and Liam during lunch reveal their personalities and relationship dynamics?
Answer:
The lunch interaction highlights Liam’s playful and attentive nature contrasted with Leighton’s guarded and focused demeanor. Liam’s casual approach, such as folding into the booth uninvited and teasing about “cold tater tots” and “ice queen,” shows his humor and ease in social situations. Meanwhile, Leighton’s responses reveal her seriousness, preoccupation with responsibilities, and reluctance to engage romantically. Despite her rejection, Liam remains lighthearted and respectful, even dramatizing his “heartbroken” state to amuse both Leighton and Sofia. This dynamic shows Liam’s charm and persistence, and Leighton’s internal conflict between enjoying his attentiveness and prioritizing her goals and family situation, emphasizing a nuanced, evolving relationship.2. What internal conflicts does Leighton experience regarding dating and her focus on college and family?
Answer:
Leighton struggles with balancing her desire for connection and the demands of her responsibilities. She recognizes that dating Liam could be fun and appreciates his attentiveness, but her priority is securing her and her sisters’ future by focusing on academics and college applications. The leather cuff bracelet symbolizes family bonds and loss, grounding her in her current reality. Leighton’s “happy little heart” turning “back into stone” reflects her emotional defense mechanism to avoid distractions. Her countdown to “get things fixed at home” underscores the urgency she feels, making dating seem impractical and risky. This internal conflict reveals her maturity and the sacrifices she makes for family security over personal happiness.3. How does the chapter use symbolism to deepen the reader’s understanding of Leighton’s emotional state?
Answer:
Symbolism enriches the narrative by connecting Leighton’s emotions to tangible objects and memories. The leather cuff bracelet with her initials, made by her late grandfather, symbolizes family unity, love, and loss, anchoring her to her sisters and their shared past. It serves as a reminder of what she’s protecting and why she must stay focused. The framed photo of Auburn High’s Homecoming King and Queen from nineteen years ago symbolizes the idealized “ever after” that contrasts with Leighton’s reality. It represents broken dreams and the inevitability of heartbreak, reinforcing her skepticism about romance. These symbols highlight Leighton’s emotional resilience and the tension between hope and pragmatism.4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of personal sacrifice during adolescence?
Answer:
The chapter explores personal sacrifice through Leighton’s decision to forego dating and social life to prioritize college and her family’s wellbeing. Her advanced placement classes, heavy homework load, and newspaper responsibilities illustrate the academic pressures she endures. The urgency to “get things fixed at home” before she can consider personal happiness underscores the sacrifices she makes for her sisters’ safety. Leighton’s dismissal of fun and relationships reflects the difficult choices many adolescents face when balancing personal desires with family obligations. This theme emphasizes the maturity required to navigate complex life circumstances and the emotional toll of putting others’ needs first.5. How might Leighton’s perspective on relationships and priorities evolve as the story progresses, based on the insights from this chapter?
Answer:
Based on this chapter, Leighton’s current perspective is shaped by caution and responsibility, but her internal conflict and attraction to Liam suggest potential growth. Her acknowledgment of having a “colossal crush” and enjoyment of Liam’s company indicates latent openness to emotional connection. As her family situation stabilizes or changes, she might allow herself more vulnerability and explore relationships. Additionally, her recognition that “all hearts get broken” hints at a forthcoming journey of emotional resilience and learning from heartbreak. The chapter sets up a foundation for Leighton to possibly reconcile her ambitions with personal desires, evolving toward a more balanced understanding of love and priorities.
Quotes
1. “Brody is an ass. And I told him exactly that after class yesterday.”
This quote highlights Liam’s straightforward and supportive nature, setting the tone for his relationship with the narrator and marking a moment of solidarity against a common antagonist.
2. “Forget the charm, or how damn funny he is, or those kind eyes. It’s his attentiveness that I find nice. So different. He’s really looking at me and listening to what I say. That’s what makes me want to say yes.”
This passage captures the narrator’s internal conflict and reveals the importance of genuine attention and connection over superficial qualities, illustrating a key emotional turning point in the chapter.
3. “I don’t have time for fun. I have homework to do.”
A succinct expression of the narrator’s priorities and pressures, this quote encapsulates the theme of sacrifice and the weight of responsibility during a pivotal senior year, shaping her reluctance to engage in romance.
4. “Every interaction with him is so fun. And light. I feel happier talking to him at our lockers than in any other part of my day. And in a parallel universe, I would recognize this for what it is: I have a colossal crush on Liam. Maybe in that universe we could date. But in this one, no such luck.”
Here, the narrator candidly acknowledges her feelings and the constraints imposed by her life circumstances, poignantly illustrating the tension between desire and duty that defines much of the chapter’s emotional core.
5. “If you wait long enough, all hearts get broken.”
This concluding line offers a powerful, bittersweet reflection on love and loss, tying together the chapter’s themes about the inevitability of heartbreak and the complexities of growing up.